Thursday, August 17, 2006

Iraqi Forces Capture Wanted Terrorists in Separate Baghdad Raids

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2006 – Iraqi forces captured two wanted men in separate operations in and near Baghdad yesterday. Both operations were part of Operation Together Forward, the recent security crackdown in the Baghdad area. One early morning operation led to the capture of a known terrorist cell leader in southern Baghdad. Iraqi security forces, assisted by coalition advisers, conducted a precision raid in the Rasheed district, capturing an individual known to be a former Baath Party member who now leads a terrorist cell in Baghdad's Dora area. One other individual, a subordinate cell leader, also was detained during the raid.

In a separate early morning raid, Iraqi forces captured the leader of a
terrorist cell that specialized in making improvised explosive devices. Iraqi army forces conducted the raid as coalition force advisers looked on in the Abu Ghraib area of Baghdad and captured their primary target. Officials believe this cell leader has been active for the past several months. Four other individuals also were detained during the raid. No Iraqi or coalition forces or civilians were injured in either operation, officials said.

In other news from Iraq, Iraqi
army and Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers discovered a large munitions cache during a cache sweep south of Baghdad around 8 p.m. Aug. 14. Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, and U.S. soldiers from Company B, 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, discovered three 155 mm artillery rounds, 35 105 mm mortar rounds, two 60 mm mortar rounds, two rockets, and three small explosives.

In a separate event that day, Iraqi soldiers foiled a kidnapping attempt by terrorists in central Baghdad around 9:10 p.m. Soldiers from 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, stationed at a traffic control point observed a woman being forced into a car. The soldiers fired warning shots at the
terrorists, who returned fire at the traffic control point, injuring one Iraqi citizen. The woman fled the scene during the exchange of fire. The injured Iraqi citizen was taken to a nearby hospital, and Iraqi soldiers escorted the woman back to her home.

No comments: